Police check leads in Ragsdale case

Homicide investigators following up on dozens of tips, studying surveillance videos

By Stephanie TaylorStaff Writer

Published: Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 8, 2013 at 11:38 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | Dozens of people have called investigators to report suspicious activity and people who could be involved in the homicide of Kate Ragsdale.

Investigators are following up on all of those leads, said Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit commander Capt. Loyd Baker.

A week after releasing a criminal profile of the killer, Baker asked the public once again to be on the lookout for people who exhibit unusual behavior, such as suddenly moving or displaying intense interest in the case.

“An important factor in the profile is that the offender most likely will be displaying tremendous behavioral changes in the days following this horrific event,” Baker said Friday. “This behavior change will be obvious to the offender’s peers, friends and family. Investigators are asking these people to contact them with this information.”

Ragsdale, 73, was found dead in her home on the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 24. An autopsy revealed that she died from sharp-force trauma. Investigators are researching her phone and financial records to help narrow down when she was killed and have been talking to friends, neighbors and acquaintances.

Hundreds of hours of video surveillance from security systems in the area have been collected and are being reviewed, Baker said. Interviews have been conducted with construction crews who were working on a city resurfacing job at one entrance of the neighborhood, right by Ragsdale’s home, Baker said.

Evidence has been sent to several forensic labs, including the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Va.

The case has been submitted to the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program, which maintains the largest investigative repository of major violent crime cases in the U.S., to determine if similar crimes have been committed in other areas of the country.

“We are also reviewing previous crimes and reports in the area to see if they could be related,” Baker said.

He emphasized that people should report anyone who has exhibited any of these behaviors:

Unexpectedly and suddenly leaving the area for a plausible sounding reason, such as to live with or visit to a distant relative or friend.

Missing school, work or other routine engagements, particularly during the week of Feb. 17-24.

Unexplained injuries, such as cuts and bruises on the hands or lower arms.

An unnatural interest in the status of the investigation, paying close attention to the media, talking about the incident with others.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | Dozens of people have called investigators to report suspicious activity and people who could be involved in the homicide of Kate Ragsdale.</p><p>Investigators are following up on all of those leads, said Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit commander Capt. Loyd Baker.</p><p>A week after releasing a criminal profile of the killer, Baker asked the public once again to be on the lookout for people who exhibit unusual behavior, such as suddenly moving or displaying intense interest in the case.</p><p>“An important factor in the profile is that the offender most likely will be displaying tremendous behavioral changes in the days following this horrific event,” Baker said Friday. “This behavior change will be obvious to the offender's peers, friends and family. Investigators are asking these people to contact them with this information.”</p><p>Ragsdale, 73, was found dead in her home on the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 24. An autopsy revealed that she died from sharp-force trauma. Investigators are researching her phone and financial records to help narrow down when she was killed and have been talking to friends, neighbors and acquaintances. </p><p>Hundreds of hours of video surveillance from security systems in the area have been collected and are being reviewed, Baker said. Interviews have been conducted with construction crews who were working on a city resurfacing job at one entrance of the neighborhood, right by Ragsdale's home, Baker said.</p><p>Evidence has been sent to several forensic labs, including the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Va.</p><p>The case has been submitted to the FBI's Violent Criminal Apprehension Program, which maintains the largest investigative repository of major violent crime cases in the U.S., to determine if similar crimes have been committed in other areas of the country. </p><p>“We are also reviewing previous crimes and reports in the area to see if they could be related,” Baker said.</p><p>He emphasized that people should report anyone who has exhibited any of these behaviors:</p><p>Unexpectedly and suddenly leaving the area for a plausible sounding reason, such as to live with or visit to a distant relative or friend.</p><p>Missing school, work or other routine engagements, particularly during the week of Feb. 17-24.</p><p>Unexplained injuries, such as cuts and bruises on the hands or lower arms.</p><p>An unnatural interest in the status of the investigation, paying close attention to the media, talking about the incident with others.</p><p>A notable display of nervousness or irritability.</p><p>An increase or decrease in the expression of religious beliefs.</p><p>Changes in routine sleep patterns.</p><p>Reach Stephanie Taylor at stephanie.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0210.</p>